Posted on 06/03/2007 1:15:37 PM PDT by my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Names, e-mails and other sensitive information embedded in files
Fresh privacy fears have been sparked after it emerged that Apple has embedded personal information into music files bought from its iTunes online music store.
Technology websites examining iTunes products discovered that personal data, including the name and e-mail addresses of purchasers, are embedded into the AAC files that Apple uses to distribute music tracks.
The information is also included in tracks sold under Apple’s iTunes Plus system, launched this week, where users pay a premium for music that is free from the controversial digital rights (DRM) software that is designed to safeguard against piracy.
(Excerpt) Read more at business.timesonline.co.uk ...
ping
This will be real popular.
That’s why I don’t buy from the iTunes store - they’re “protected” and not really mine. When I say reall mine, I mean I can copy it anywhere I want.
If it wasn’t for Apple no one would be able to get your name or email address! /s
Apple should team up with Sony and start a new company called
“Screwed R U”
I bought something online the other day and my name and address were right on the package where anyone could see!
Do any other computer jukeboxes (Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, Winamp, etc.) do anything like iTunes is doing as described in this article? If they don’t, then they should adverstise the fact that they violate the privacy of their users.
ping FYI
Do any other computer jukeboxes (Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, Winamp, etc.) do anything like iTunes is doing as described in this article? If they don’t, then they should advertise the fact that iTunes violates the privacy of its users.
ping
Nope. But Apple IS another source to be shut down.
LOL. I bet the postman even used it to find out where you lived !!!
(Which means the company is working in cahoots with the government in a grand conspiracy ;-)
That’s right!
And those little data streams that happen when I download, I beginning to suspect they have my IP address imbedded in them too! :^)
Yes you are correct on that. In my town I am required by law to publically display my house number so that its visible from the street !!! Yours might be the same way. Better check.
Using a simple hex editor, you can substitute “Steve Jobs”, “sjobs @apple.com”.
Then pass the files around.
On another note... why can’t we pass a law to FINE people who sell thrugh smal email?!?!?!?!?!?
I mean if you get a sapm email someone eventually wants a credit card so we KNOW who is ending them, the people who ask for money.
Go to their business and FINE THEM or SHUT THEM DOWN~!!!
(really, I don’t need a bigger p@nis no matter how many THOUSANDS of times you ask)
I think it’s ingenious! It’s the perfect way to cut down on piracy of these bought tracks...merely protecting tracks tends to tempt ppl to try and defeat the protection, but this makes it painful to “share” your downloaded music.
That’s why I don’t buy from the iTunes store - they’re “protected” and not really mine. When I say reall mine, I mean I can copy it anywhere I want.
You must have missed the recent news with Apple, then. They've been hammering away at the record companies to have them let loose of their requirements that Apple put DRM on the songs, as a condition for Apple selling those songs online. And, Apple has succeeded in shaking one company loose from this idea of using DRM. That's EMI.
You probably missed the news that Apple and EMI entered into an agreement which allows Apple to sell EMI's music online, without the prior requirement that EMI had of Apple placing DRM on their songs (the same requirement that all the other companies have for selling their songs, too).
And so, it looks like it's already moving in the direction of eliminating DRM thanks to Apple pushing the records companies to do so.
AND, in addition to that, even though all the record companies required Apple to place DRM on each of their songs that Apple sold online -- Apple made it very easy for any user to remove the DRM, simply by placing the songs on a CD. By that simple procedure -- Poof! -- the DRM was gone. So, even though the record companies made Apple place the DRM on each of the songs that Apple sold online, Apple made it so that the user could remove the DRM from each song.
Thus, Apple has always made it possible for all users to "copy it anywhere" that you want. It's always been that way from the beginning....
Regards,
Star Traveler
PING!
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